PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2006

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in Regular Session at the Concordia Parish School Board office in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Tuesday, August 8, 2006, at five-thirty  (5:30) o'clock P.M.  The meeting was called to order by Ernest Lynn White, President, who after prayer and the Pledge, declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.

Members present were Ms. Mary Campbell, Mr. Gary Parnham, Ms. Martha Rabb, Mr. Raymond Riley, Sr., Mr. Jerry Roberts, Mr. Ricky Raven, Mr. Ernest Lynn White, and Mr. Jimmy Wilkinson and  Ms. Melanie Watson.

Ms. Stacy Allen, teacher and Ms. Gayla Crumb, teacher, presented a PowerPoint slide show featuring students attending the Mad Science Camp held at the Concordia Parish Media Center.

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of July 11, 2006.

It was moved by Mr. Parnham, seconded by Ms. Watson and carried unanimously to approve invoices in the amount of $3,994,721.

Judge Kathy Johnson addressed the Board concerning the hiring of a bond officer.  Judge Johnson explained that the individual would report directly to her on implementation of her orders concerning students.   The officer would be paid by the School Board for 20 hours a week at $12 per hour.  The officer would be a commissioned, trained officer. 

Judge Johnson explained to the Board that the Police Jury would pay the other half of the officer's salary.  The officer would work more for the Jury in the summer months while school is closed.  The officer would also assist at the summer feeding program site.

It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried unanimously to honor Judge Johnson's request to partner with the Police Jury for a twelve month period to have a bond officer in place with the beginning of school.

Ms. Rabb and Mr. Roberts left the Board Room at 6:12 p.m.

Mr. Julius Huhn, Federal Programs Director, explained the School Choice Option to the Board.  Three Concordia Parish Schools qualified for school choice.

Mr. Roberts returned to the Board Room at 6:14 P.M.

Mr. Huhn reviewed information concerning the population of schools receiving school choice students, available space in schools receiving school choice students and the transportation of school choice students. 

Ms. Rabb returned to the Board Room at 6:18 P.M.

Mr. Huhn explained how parents would be informed .  He also reviewed costs of the program and how these costs would be addressed.

Mr. Huhn went on to review the 2006-07 Federal Program Consolidated Application. 

It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve the 2006-07 Consolidated Federal Program Application.

The single bid for exterminating services was opened.  The bid was from Bug Blasters for $250 per unit.  It was moved by Mr. Raven, seconded by Mr. Parnham and carried unanimously to refer to Ms. Fairbanks and Mr. O'Neal for review and to grant them authority to approve.

The bids for the Ridgecrest School Roofing Project were opened and read aloud as follows:

          Base Bid No. 1            Base Bid No. 2

          Metal Roof                   Bitumen Roof

Wilmar Construction Company          $1,226,000.00             $895,000.00

RMA of America                               $1,006,053.00             $717,562.00

Mr. O'Neal requested that these be taken under advisement. Mr. Chaney, Architect, addressed the board concerning the bid prices.  He felt the prices were too high.  He suggested that the Board award and negotiate with agreements or reject and rebid the project.  It was moved by Mr. Wilkinson, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to reject all bids and readvertize.

It was moved by Ms. Rabb, seconded by Mr. Raven and carried to approve the second reading of Policy II - Testing Program.

Item G - Irma Smith, et. al. vs. Concordia Parish School Board, et. al. was removed from the agenda.

It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Rabb and carried to approve the following personnel addendum items:

Resignations

Shakeitha Washington, paraprofessional, Ferriday Lower, effective August 1, 2006

Monica Martin, 7.0 hr. technician, Ferriday Jr. High, effective August 9, 2006

Appointments

Jimmye Campbell,, teacher, Ferriday Upper, effective August 8, 2006, for the 2006-07 school year only

Stephen Collins, math teacher, Ferriday High School, effective August 8, 2006

Jenny Guedon, teacher, Ferriday Upper, effective August 8, 2006

 Mary LeBlanc, social studies teacher, Ferriday High School, effective August 8, 2006

Peggy Hickombottom, teacher, Ferriday Upper, effective August 8, 2006

Laura Winston, teacher, Ferriday Jr. High, effective August 8, 2006

Phyllis Hawkins, teacher, Ferriday Jr. High, effective August 8, 2006

Sharon Hunter, teacher, Ferriday Jr. High, effective August 8, 2006

Vounzell Murphy, teacher, Ferriday Jr. High, effective August 8, 2006

Joyce Brown, child specific aide, Vidalia Lower, effective August 9, 2006, for the 2006-07 school year only

Robert Gardner, paraprofessional, Concordia Education Center, effective August 9, 2006

Tashanda McKeel, paraprofessional, Ferriday Jr. High, effective August 9, 2006

LaToya Smith, paraprofessional, Vidalia Upper, effective August 9, 2006

Cindy Stewart, Title I reading tutor, Vidalia Upper, effective August 9, 2006

Jennifer Vines, Title I math tutor, Vidalia Upper, effective August 9, 2006

Leave

Virginia Robertson, English teacher, Ferriday High School, extended medical elave pending required medical verification, effective August 8, 2006

Transfers

Dr. Brenda Moore, JAG Specialist to Assistant Princiapal, Ferriday Junior High for the 2006-07 school year

Football Coaches

Damus Smith, Vidalia High School, Assistant Football Coach

It was moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Rabb and carried unanimously to approve all personal items in global.

Resignation

Ronald Ellis, paraprofessional, Ferriday Jr. High, effective July 31, 2006

Medical Leave

Arthur Washington, teacher, Ferriday Upper, extended medical leave, effective August 8-October 31, 2006

Appointments

Karen Thomas, teacher, Ferriday Junior High, effective August 9, 2006

Randy Milligan, 10 month janitor, Ferriday High School, effective August 10, 2006

Mr. Fred T. Butcher, Academic Director, gave a report on summer school. 

It was moved by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:25 P.M.

Ernest Lynn White, Board President       Kerry Laster, Ph.D., Superintendent